The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has announced that a fresh Local Government (LG) election will be held on August 9, 2025. This decision follows a ruling by the Supreme Court on Friday, which declared the LG election conducted on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), the Chief Electoral Commissioner, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
In response to the judgment, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, reassured the residents of the oil-rich state that his administration would fully implement the Supreme Court’s verdict. In a state broadcast on Sunday, Fubara revealed that he had met with his legal team and they anticipated receiving the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling by Friday, March 7, 2025. He reaffirmed that his government is committed to adhering to constitutional principles and will act in accordance with the law.
Governor Fubara further directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take immediate control of the 23 local government councils across the state, following the Supreme Court’s ruling that annulled the October 5, 2023, local government elections. Civil servants will oversee the operations of the councils until new elections are conducted by the RSIEC.
In a related development, the Supreme Court issued another ruling on Friday, prohibiting the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation, and other federal agencies from releasing funds to the Rivers State government until it complies with previous court orders. The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye, unanimously dismissed the cross-appeal filed by Governor Fubara, which sought to challenge the validity of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule. The court ordered that Amaewhule resume his duties immediately, along with other elected members of the Assembly.
The ongoing legal challenges and rulings continue to shape the political landscape in Rivers State, with the focus now on the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decisions and preparations for the upcoming local government elections.
